Joel Plaskett thrilled to open for Paul McCartney
Published Friday July 10th, 2009
HALIFAX - An already good year is about to get even better for singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett.
Plaskett
The lanky Nova Scotian has landed a coveted openers' gig at Paul McCartney's lone Canadian performance this year -- a large outdoor show tomorrow in Halifax.
"I'm ecstatic and super-flattered we were chosen," Plaskett said. "It'll certainly be the biggest show of our career to date, no doubt."
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to gather on the Halifax Common -- a giant green space in the centre of the city -- for McCartney's first-ever show in Atlantic Canada.
Plaskett, who cites The Beatles' classics Abbey Road and the White Album as music staples growing up, said he was told that Sir Paul himself chose him for the opening spot.
He said someone in McCartney's management team received a copy of his latest album "Three," liked it, gave it to the former Beatle, who in turn gave his approval.
Halifax rockers Wintersleep will also perform.
Plaskett, 34, believes the opportunity to open for the 67-year-old pop legend "would not have happened a year ago."
His career has been on an upward arc since the March release of "Three," a 27-song three-disc opus of pop, rock and folk that was recorded in his basement studio in Dartmouth and is shortlisted for 2009 Polaris Music Prize.
"I've felt things ebb and flow over the years and slowly build and slowly build," said Plaskett, who played the Mariposa Folk Festival last weekend in Toronto.
"I've always felt like it's been moving up ... but I've got to say the last few years I've felt an acceleration. And this year has been no exception."
His recent cross-country tour put more bums than usual in the seats, including 2,200 during his first-ever show at Toronto's venerable Massey Hall.
He even recently received kudos on Perez Hilton's website as one of the trash-gossip's favourite musicians.
Plaskett, who has been a working musician since his teen years with '90s Halifax pioneers Thrush Hermit, said he marvels at how doors open one moment and close the next.
"I just haven't a clue where most opportunities come from but I like to think it's part and parcel of hard work because it's taken a long, long trajectory to get here."
Joel Plaskett thrilled to open for Paul McCartney !
